Who is Todd Muller? A look at the the new leader of the National Party

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Source:
AAP

This story was published on May 21, before Muller was voted new leader of the National Party.

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He grew up in the small community of Te Puna and has worked for Fonterra and Zespri.
Source: 1 NEWS

Jacinda Ardern's opponent at September's election will become known tomorrow, when New Zealand's National party holds a leadership ballot between incumbent Simon Bridges and challenger Todd Muller.

Momentum is growing behind Mr Muller, the party's agriculture spokesperson, who has rallied support in the wake of a poll published on Monday.

National was the first-choice party of just 31 per cent of Kiwis, down from 44 per cent at the 2017 election and at the last poll, taken in February.

February's poll had National leading Ms Ardern's Labour by a point.

Then came Covid-19, which has flipped the political dynamic on its head, putting Ms Ardern in control just four months from the election.

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Wannabe National Party leader Todd Muller isn’t a familiar face to many Kiwis, judging by these reactions.
Source: 1 NEWS

Yesterday, Mr Muller requested a party-room ballot for the leadership, which Mr Bridges accepted and brought forward to tomorrow at 12 noon local time.

National is a conservative party in politics and nature; supporters from either camp weren't willing to speak publicly to AAP.

But Mr Muller's impressive CV gives some in the National party room hope the 51-year-old could inspire a revival of electoral fortunes.

As a staffer to former prime minister Jim Bolger, he turned down the chance to enter parliament in his 30s and instead worked in two iconic New Zealand industries; kiwifruit and dairy, with giant Fonterra.

In Wellington, his stand-out achievement to date was as climate change spokesperson, handling negotiations to a point where National - with a diversity of views on climate science - supported the government's Zero Carbon Bill.

"In this moment of economic crisis, we need someone with depth of business experience and networks and an understanding on how to get the best out of a team," one MP told AAP.